Announcing: The Àtìpó Book Review Prize Winners
Book O’Clock is thrilled to announce the winners of its Atipo Book Review Prize. The top two reviews of Wole Olayinka’s Alejo: Crossing Times were selected from a handful of “insightful and engaging” reviews written by young essayists and critics 22 years old and younger. The winning essays, according to the prize judges (Carl Terver, Akumbu Uche, and Nzube Nlebedim), showed “excellent identification and analysis of the theme of Olayinka’s novella.”
The winners of the Àtìpó Book Review Prize are:
Adjarho Evidence Egwuono (21)
Adjarho Evidence Egwuono is an undergraduate pursuing a degree in English at the University of Lagos. She recently developed a particular fascination for African literature, although her enthusiasm knows no bounds. An ardent reader, astute book reviewer, and writer, Evidence pours her heart and should into the world of words. Beyond her academic pursuits, she thrives as a freelance writing wizard who writes essays, short stories, and scripts. Evidence has an upcoming essay in Kalahari Review.
Evidence’s essay, “The Phenomenon of Time in Àlejò: Crossing Times”, won first place at the Àtìpó Book Review Prize and the 60,000 NGN monetary prize.
Adegboyega Oluwaremilekun Adeleye (22)
Adegboyega Oluwaremilekun Adeleye is a creative writer, essayist, and skilled debater. Quintessential Remmy, as he calls himself, is passionate about creative writing and journalism. He is currently learning and training as a news writer and presenter.
Adegboyega’s “Àlejò: Yoruba Traditional Mythology and Magical Realism to Explain the Transient Nature of Life” clinched him the second-place prize of 40,000 NGN.
The prize judges had this to say about the winning essays:
“We were delighted reading the submitted reviews of Wole Olayinka’s Alejo. All reviews were interesting and engaging. But we had to choose out of the pile that which comes close to being as complete as a book review should be: holistic, insightful, getting at the meat of the subject, and we daresay, even interpreting its subject in a newer light even the author doesn’t envisage. In this case, we were mostly impressed by Evidence Adjarho’s review, our first choice, and Adeboyega Oluwaremilekun Adeleye’s review, our second. Their excellent identification and analysis of the theme of Olayinka’s novella shows keen observation and their breakdown of the novella’s treatment of Yoruba spirituality particularly enhances the reviewed text.”
Book O’ Clock wishes to also celebrate Agoro Maryann Ayooulwa and Lateef Odetunde whose reviews were shortlisted during adjuducation. Their essays have been published here and here.
To commemorate the close of the Àtìpó Book Review Prize, Book O’ Clock is hosting a virtual event featuring a reading of the winning essays and Wole Olayinka’s novel as well as a discussion on the relevance of criticism. All individuals interested in the celebration of African literature and literary criticism are invited to register here.
Congratulations to the winners!
